Todt: Wait and see on team orders

If Michael Schumacher wins at Indy, his team-mate Rubens Barrichello will automatically be confirmed as second in the drivers' championship. That has been Ferrari's priority ever since Schumacher claimed his fifth title in France.

Team boss Jean Todt said: "At the beginning of the season we had the first objective, which was Ferrari winning the constructors championship. Then it seemed like Michael had better chances to be drivers champion, so the team did support him as much as it could.

"Once it was achieved, the second goal was to allow Rubens to finish second position. And definitely, if Michael wins this race, then Rubens will be second. But we will see what happens in qualifying, then we will decide what is in the best interests of Ferrari."

Schumacher admitted at Indianapolis that he had not fought Barrichello for victory in the Italian GP two weeks ago. "Basically it was obvious that we wanted to drive in a way that Rubens secured his second position," he said. "He supported me in winning the championship as much as he could, so it was natural that I would support him in his achievement.

"But I believe, if my calculation is right, that if I win this race, then it would automatically mean second place for him in the championship. Which means - and maybe Jean [Todt] can say more about this - we can race free."